Inflating device



May 23, 1944.

U. c. WALK INFLATING DEVICE Filed Dec. 18, 1942 ,4 T TORNEK PatentedMay 23, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INFLATING DEVICE Udell Clifford Walk, Palo Alto, Calif.

y Application December 18, 1942, Serial No. 469,439

6 Claims.

This invention relates vto inflation devices and more particularly to a combination fully automatic and manual inflating device for inflating life belts, rafts, and the like.

In providing a device adapted to inflate a life belt, raft, or like appliance, it is of utmost importance that it be positive and rapid in function. Many times the person who needs the use of a, life saving appliance is injured or confused to such an extent that he is incapable of operating a manually controlled inflating device. However, so-called automatic inating devices have not proved successful in operation nor are they automatic in the true sense of the word.

It is vital that any inflating device be o'f sturdy and compact construction in order to be in readiness at all times for operation. Such a device, if adapted for manual control, must be simple and obvious as to the manner of operation.

Chemicals used in inflation devices should produce non-inflammable gases as far as possible; however, if inflammable gases result, they should be sealed entirely Within the inflating device and not allowed to escape therefrom except as directed to the life saving appliance sought to be inflated. The danger of fire spreading to inflammable gases escaping from a life saving inflating device when in the neighborhood of a burning ship or aircraft is a real one.

I have provided a device for inating life saving appliances which meets the above requirements and is adapted for both manual and fully automatic'actuation. 'The manual means of operl ation is obvious as to its manner of use, requiring no turning or twisting of parts and positive in result. The automatic actuation means works in supplement to the manual release and neither is capable of detrimental interference with the others positive independent operation.

Therefore, generally stated, an object of my invention is to provide an inilating device which combines positive manual and fully automatic Specific objects of my invening device inexpensive to manufacture and assemble; and to provide an inflating device which is adapted to be recharged afterA use thereof.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent upon referring to the following specification and drawing-annexed hereto.

With reference to the drawing, in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in the several viewsz` lFig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of my device in neutral position taken through the handle slots.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of my device in working position taken through the handle slots.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

In the drawing, my inflating device comprises a housing, indicated generally at A, composed of a tubular shell 2 which can lbe formed from metal or plastic or any other suitable substance and preferably threaded exteriorly at both ends for reception of interiorly threaded cap members 3 and 4. The shell houses a conventional cartridge 5 containing a compressed gas such as carbon dioxide or the like. The cartridge has a slightly smaller outside diameter than the inside diameter of the tubular shell 2 in order that it may have a limited longitudinal movement therein as will hereinafter appear.

Cap member 3^ is provided with an outlet 6 communicating with a flexible conduit 'I which leads to the appliance sought to be inflated, generally indicated at B. It is obvious that any suitable connecting means may be employed between my inflating device and the life belt or raft.

Cap member 3 houses a gasket 8 which may be fixed in the said cap` portion. It is obvious that the gasket 8 could be provided in the end of the tubular shell rather than in the cap member 3. The gasket is provided with a centrally disposed resilient head 9, preferably rubber or like material, and a piercing element I0 embedded therein. The cartridge has a pre-weakened outlet point 5a as is conventional, at the tapered end 5b thereof, which is adapted to be pierced by the piercing element I0 when the said cartridge is forced thereagainst as will shortly appear. In assembly, the tapered neck of the cartridge having the pre-weakened outlet point abuts against the resilient rubber head 9. When pressure is applied to the opposite end of the cartridge, as willl shortly appear, the tapered neck end of the cartridge is forced into the resilient forming a seal to c'ut olf lateral or undesired escape of gas released when the piercing elementl has caused the puncture of the cartridge.

The piercing element, above mentioned, is conventionalv in form. 'Ihe piercing element l0 is 'die end of the shell opposite outlet cap 3 is4 provided with dlametrically opposed longitudinal slots il which extend toward middle of the tubular shell from the said end thereof a suitable distance. tubing or the like, the strip cut from the shell to form the lslots issiihply bent back at approximately right angles to the tubular shell 2 to form the handle portions I2 integral with the said shell.

A substantially U-shaped member I3 having two extending, oppositely disposed arms or handie members I3a, is loosely slidably positioned in the shell behind the cartridge so that the arms project through the slots and accordingly the said U-shaped member is guided longitudinally of the shell thereby and restrained from rotation 'relative thereto. The U-portion of the member I3 is centrally enlarged as at I3b in order to' abut against the end of the cartridge 5 in order to hold the said cartridge against the reslient head 9, and to force the said cartridge against the piercing element during operation, as will appear.

A partition I4 is fixed in the end of shell 2 or in cap member 4 as desired, a suitable distance behind the cartridge 5. The partition I4 is provided with a centrally disposed guide bore I5 and a plurality of perforations I6 arranged concentrically around the said bore. A piston or plunger stem I7 is slidably inserted through the guide bore I5 and -is preferably provided with a radial ilange or the like I8 at one end thereof, adapted to abut against the central portion I3b of the U- shaped member I3, or the said piston stem may be rigidly attached directly to the U-shaped member. The opposite end of the piston stem is provided with a head I9 of substantially the same diameter as the inside diameter of the cap 4 so that the said piston head will slide within the said cap against the inside tubular surface thereof. v

The parts, including the piston, U-shaped member, cartridge and resilient head, are arranged so that the cartridge is held lightly against the soft head bythe U-shaped member and adjoining piston when the inlating device is not in working position. In this manner there can be lno unwarranted movement of the cartridge relative to the tubular shell and against the piercing element.

Spring means may be provided to restrain the cartridge from undesired movement in the shell although it is not necessary if the associated parts are assembled as above pointed out and as illustrated in the drawing.

The head I9 of the piston is provided with a tapered bore 20, the minor diameter of the bore being on the cartridge side of the gasket. A tapered iloating valve 2| is carried in said bore.

The valve 2| comprises a head portion 2'Ia tapered to correspond with bore 20 and adapted to seat therein in sealing position when depressed thereinto. An L-shaped portion 2lb having a depending finger 2Ic is mounted on the tapered If the shell is formed of steel 2,349,eeff

end of the valve head so that the valve will not become disengaged from the bore and the L- shaped portion cannot seal the bore from the cartridge'` side because, obviously, the nger 2Ic spaces the valve from the surface of the gasket.

There are, of course, other valve mechanisms oi similar characteristic functions which can be utilized satisfactorily in place of the oating valve herein described and illustrated.

In the chamber 22 in cap 4, dened by plunger head I9, I provide a chemical indicated generally at 23, adapted to rapidly produce gas upon contact with water. I have found that carbide pellets are satisfactory for the purposes herein desired, although other gas forming chemicals can, of course, be utilized. It is desirous to use a chemical which will not react with the normal moisture content of air but which will react almost instantaneously upon contact with a small quantity of water. v

Fig. l shows the device in neutral position prior to actuation thereof. My plunger head and associated piston stem are behind the U-shaped member and the U-shaped member in turn is not exerting working pressure against the cartridge, but simply holds the cartridge lightly against the resilient head. n

To actuate my device, assuming the manual control means are to be utilized, the operator simply grasps rigid handle portion I2 and slidable handle extensions I3a, and squeezes the two together. The U-shaped member I3 is squeezed toward handle portions I2 and forces itself against the cartridge 5 causing the cartridge to move longitudinally relative to the shell 2 and brings pre-weakened point 5a. against piercing element I0 releasing the gas in said cartridge and inating the safety appliance B.

Automatic actuation of my device is caused by submersion of the shell into water resulting in water rushing through slits II into the interior `of tubular shell 2 and through the perforations I'S provided in gasket I4 and thence through bore 20 and open floating valve 2| in piston head I9 to contact the chemical 23 stored behind the said piston headain chamber 22. 4Gras forms behind the piston head in cham-ber 22 and the pressure developed therein depresses valve head 2Ia into sealing position with tapered seating bore 20 closing ofi any chance of gas escape therethrough.

Pressure immediately builds up against plunger head I9, depressing same and causing connected 'piston stern Il to be forced against U-shaped member I3, resulting in longitudinal movement of cartridge 5 against piercing element I0 and the resultant feed of gas to the object B. The device is shown in automatically actuated working position in Fig. 2.

It should be borne in mind that even though the manual control is rto be operated and the device is submerged in water, no detrimental interference of parts will result. As a matter of fact, the automatic release simply supplements and makes sure of the continued operation of the manual control.

The amount bf chemical 23 to be used, is, of course, dependentv on the size of the inating device and other factors'of like character. The size of the cartridge 5 is likewise dependent on the type of article to be inflated. 1

For convenience in use and storage, I have provided a bracket 24 on the shell surface for insertion of web belting or strapping in order to fasten my device against undesired movement thereof.

While Ihave described my invention in more or less specific detail oi' embodiment for pur.

l. In an inating device, the combination of` a housing, a gas cartridge slidably arranged therein, a piercing'elemenrl ilxed in one end of said housing, manually controlled means for forcing the cartridge against the' piercing element, said means including a handle rigidly attached to said housing, a slidable handle member spaced from said rigid handle and adjacent to the end of said cartridge opposite the end sought to be punctured; automatic means for forcing said 'cartridge against said piercing element upon immersion of the device in water including a piston adapted to abut against said slidable handle member, said piston having a piston head, a chemical adapted to produce gas upon contact with water stored behind said piston vhead, means to convey water to said chemical upon immersion of the device, and means to prevent escape of gas through said water conveying means.

2. In an inflating device, the combination of a housing having an opening at one end thereof, a gas cartridge arranged for limited slidable longitudinal movement therein, a piercing element xed in one end of said housing, manual means including a slidable handle member to force the cartridge against the piercing element, and automatic meansuto force the cartridge against the piercingelement, the manual and the automatic means being independent of one another in actuation.

3. An inilating device adapted to be actuated automatically and manually, comprising the combination of a housing, a gas cartridge slidably carried in said housing, a piercing element therein, a rigid handle fixed to said housing, a movable handle member spaced from said rigid handle member, and means including a piston adapted to force said movable handle toward said rigid handle and to force said cartridge against said piercing element'upon immersion of the device in water.

4. An inating device adapted to be actuated automatically 'and manually comprising the combination of a housing, a gas cartridge slidably arranged in said housing for limited longitudinal movement therein, a piercing element provided in said housing, a U-shaped member disposed slidably behind said cartridge, a perforated partition spaced from said U-shaped member, a piston slidably inserted through a guide bore provided centrally in said partition, said piston having a piston head, a Valve provided in said head, a`

chemical adapted to produce gas upon contact with water stored behind said head, Water inlet means in said housing whereby upon immersion thereof, water will enter thereinto and be conveyed to said chemical, and means to prevent escape of gas through said Water inlet; means.

5. An inating device adapted to be actuated automatically and manually comprising the combination of a housing, a. gas cartridge slidably arranged in said housing for limited;l longitudinal movement therein, a piercing element provided in said housing, a resilient head associated with said 'piercing element to cut oi undesired escape of gas from the cartridge when punctured, a U- shaped member disposed slidably behind said cartridge, a perforated partition spaced from said U-shaped member, a piston slidably inserted through a guide bore provided centrally in said partition, said piston having a piston head, a valve provided in said head, a chemical adapted to produce gas upon contact with water stored behind said head, water inlet means in said housing whereby upon immersion thereof, water will enter thereinto and be conveyed to said chemical, and means in said head to prevent escape of gas through said water inlet means.

6. An inflating device adapted to be actuated automatically and manually comprising the cembination of a housing, a gas cartridge slidably arranged in said housing for limited longitudinal movement therein, a piercing element provided in said housing, a U-shaped member disposed slidably behind said cartridge, a perforated partition spaced from said U-shaped member, a piston slidably inserted through a guide bore provided cen- `trally in said partition, said piston having a piston head, a valve in vsaid piston head adapted to allow entry of liquid therethrough from the cartridge side of said head and adapted to close upon exertion of pressure against said piston headlon the opposite side thereof, Water inlet means provided in said housing for entry of Water thereinto upon immersion thereof, and means in said head to prevent escape of gas therefrom.

-UDELL CLIFFORD WALK. 

